Targeting a return in September, Khabib Nurmagomedov will wait for title shot if victorious

Quickly shifting from prospect to contender, Khabib Nurmagomedov is looking to step things up from here on out. The Dagestani impressed in his April rout of Rafael dos Anjos, and is looking to test himself on a bigger stage.



"I was really relaxed," says Nurmagomedov in an interview with M1 Global. "It felt like sparring to me. I even felt I didn't warm up enough. We had a plan and I was able to execute it 100%. Train hard, fight easy. As you could see I was victorious.



"It was probably the first fight when I felt I could go five rounds. Even when the referee raised my hand I thought about five rounds. I feel I'm ready for it. Before a title fight I'd really like to headline an even to test myself in a five-round bout."



Having appeared on the main card of a UFC event just twice, Nurmagomedov reportedly turned down a headlining slot opposite Donald Cerrone for the promotion's Jul. 16 Fight Night event in Atlantic City. The devout Muslim opted to forgo a training camp during the observance of this summer's Ramadan. Spanning Jun. 28 to Jul. 28, practitioners abstain from food and drink during daylight hours.



"The beginning of September would be just perfect for me," says Nurmagomedov. "I need 40 days after Ramadan to prepare for a fight. I keep myself in shape during Ramadan but of course I can't train enough. I was offered a fight right at the end of Ramadan but it's a bad timing for me as I'll be starving for one month. The end of August, beginning of September will be fine."



Sitting at No. 4 in the UFC's lightweight rankings, Nurmagomedov believes he's just a fight away from a title shot.



"I need another fight before I can fight for the belt. [Gilbert] Melendez is fighting [Anthony] Pettis so the next fight for a champion will happen in May [2015] or so. I can't wait that long. I need another fight before the end of 2014. If Allah gives me a victory then I'll wait for a title fight.



"Against whom? I don't know. It could be the winner of [Donald] Cerrone vs. [Jim] Miller, Michael Johnson, Nate Diaz or T.J. Grant. Anything can happen. I'll wait for the UFC to call me."

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Statistics: Posted by z0rg — May 15. 2014, 10:04 — Replies 0 — Views 6

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